Print

Mail

wiki links

Equestrian team decides conditions too extreme in HK

The Swiss dressage team has pulled out amid concern among other equestrian teams about the extreme weather conditions they will face at the Olympic competition in Hong Kong.

"I have no idea how it will work out with the horses," said German show-jumping national team coach Kurt Gravemeier after a briefing last weekend for his riders.

Gravemeier was part of a delegation of the German equestrian federation (FN), which has visited the Olympic facilities where some 200 horses will compete during the Aug. 8 to Aug. 24 Games.

"The humidity was very high. You walk 10 meters and your shirt is soaked. Horses can deal with higher temperatures better than humans, but the humidity is a big problem," he said.

The FN is taking unpredecented measures to ensure health for horses and riders. An additional veterinarian has been hired, the number of medical tests for the horses has been raised and the horses' fodder for the duration of the game will be shipped from Germany.

"I am very concerned. These are not normal conditions," said European champion Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

But none of the German riders has so far followed the example of Swiss world No. 4 dressage rider Silvia Ikl, who announced on Jan. 8 that she would stay at home because of the extreme conditions for the welfare of her horse Salieri. The entire team then followed suit.

"The health and accident risk for my horses is too high in connection with transport and the climate conditions. There is too much strain in these high temperatures and more than 90 percent humidity," Ikl said in a statement.

Two Canadian riders have reportedly also decided to stay at home, but there have been no other cancelations.

"Protocols being developed will ensure the welfare of the horses through the preparation and management of the horses, during the build up to and during the time in Hong Kong," British equestrian federation performance chief Will Connell told the BBC.
This story has been viewed 689 times.